Saturday was the 3-month anniversary of Occupy San Diego! Fantastic March through Downtown from Children's Park along Harbor Drive, right up to Seaport Village, along the coastal walk to Broadway, east to Front, south by Federal Building, back to Children's Park, then east through the gaslamp and north to 2nd, and back to FreedomPlaza.

Before we left Children's Park, the police said that the tent the protestors were holding could not be taken into FreedomPlaza. "If we carry it without touching the ground, is that against the law?" -- "You can't bring it in. We will arrest you if you do." -- "Is that a new law?" -- "We'll figure out what law it is at the police station." OSD brought the tent in and held it above the ground, then folded it up.

A man ran into the protest march across from the Federal Building, grabbed a sign and tried to run off with it, and then started a scuffle. Chaplain Ron was knocked to the ground. We gave him some water but he police insisted that the march continue. An ambulance came and picked him up. Last I heard, he was taken to the VA hospital. Updates to be forthcoming when we get the information. Ron is a very loving and peaceful man who does not deserve this!

Two women were arrested at Freedom Plaza. The story I heard is they were singing occupella in front of the Civic Center, where Jerry Seinfeld is performing. The police asked them where they were going to stand, and they had no problem. Then the police stretched out the "Caution" tape to prepare for the approaching marchers. Somehow the women found themselves on the wrong side of the tape, and were arrested. See the video.

This eye-witness account from Josephine: We just got done w/our Occu-pella just as the marchers were returning. The police were trying to put up yellow caution tape. Anita and I were on one side getting ready to leave. Next thing you know, they were arresting Stephanie. She said she didn't do anything. She said she accidentally bumped into a cop, said "Excuse me" and they arrested her. Basically for NOTHING.

Stephanie's charges include 'battery on police officer' and bail is set at $10,000!

Welcome back to Mike Garcia, he has been released on bail after being arrested for having a chair set up during a teach-in at FreedomPlaza. Yet another illegitimate arrest by out-of-control SDPD Watch Video of the arrest

This coming Tuesday is the first City Council meeting of the year. Public comment is held after 10am and usually completed before noon.

Arraignment of RayLutz is scheduled for 8am, Jan 10 (Tuesday). I understand that actually means 10am. This high-profile arrest is one we should have maximal involvement of OSD because the media will likely continue to follow it. Everyone is welcome to attend if you can! Usually Dept. 3 (just to the right of the entrance) at the County Courthouse on Broadway.

Very Important -- The ballot proposition to revise the encroachment law (SDMC 54.0110) will be on the agenda on Wednesday, Jan 11 (9a) at the City Council Conference room (Floor 12) of City Hall. Since it will be ON THE AGENDA, that means everyone who was arrested, cited or detained for "Encroachment" under SDMC 54.0110 should come to this meeting and SPEAK.

Mayoral "State of the City" address Wednesday (Jan 11) at Balboa Theater, reception following at U.S. Grant Hotel. This information needs to be confirmed, with more details to follow if any actions are approved by OSD at our GA.

Jan 14 - Occupy So Cal Meetup in Long Beach at their MLK parade. -- this event is being held by Occupy Long Beach and discussed in a recent conference call to coordinate Socal Occupies. To folks in the greater LA area, "Socal" usually does not include San Diego. Not approved for formal participation by OSD by our GA but included here for information only.

10 Jan 2012 - Tue

(8a) - Arraignment of Ray Lutz for setting up a voter registration table in FreedomPlaza, at San Diego County Courthouse, probably in Dept. 3 (just to the right of the entrance doors). I understand the actual time is 10am for these hearings. Since this is a high-profile case in the media, it will be nice to have OSD support at the arraignment. (Thank you again for all your support, OSD is the best.)

(10a) - City Council Meeting -- First meeting with public comment available this year!

11 Jan 2012 - Wed

May have a table at the Homeless Connect event at GoldenHall. (Under Discussion)

(9a) VERY IMPORTANT: San Diego City Council Rules Committee meeting to consider ballot proposal submitted by Occupy San Diego (thank you Martha Sullivan) to amend SDMC 54.0110 to include an explicit exemption for free speech rights. Please note: This is ON THE AGENDA, and therefore, we can have speakers on the topic. CALLING ALL PEOPLE hit by 54.0110 with inappropriate arrests, citations, or detentions, to come to this meeting and let our voices be heard!

(6p) Mayor Jerry Sanders presents the State of the City address at Balboa Theater with reception following at U.S. Grant Hotel?. Any coordinated OSD action must be approved by the OSD GA.

14 Jan 2012 - Sat

(3:00p-4:00p) - Teach-In at Freedom Square:"Paradise Plundered: Fiscal Crisis and Governance Failures in San Diego", Steve Erie, Professor of Political Science at UC San Diego and Vlad Kogan, PhD Candidate, Department of Political Science, UC San Diego